Membership
Anyone here in Leyburn or just visiting is welcome to join in activities and events hosted at the centre. Many of these are free of charge, and some have a small cost, up to £25 for a more advanced activity. However, if you are a resident of Leyburn and a regular at the Centre, annual memberships are offered for a convenient, one-time fee of £30; that works out at only £2.50 a month!
Clubs and Activities
There's so much going on at Leyburn Arts and Community Centre, and there's truly something for everyone, young and old. Are you a creative like a painter or an artist with a musical ear? Or maybe you love to be active with dance, yoga or simply stretching your body. If you want a welcoming environment to simply slow down and relax, maybe chat and reminisce with fellow residents, there are also many activities which may be more suited to you, like the cinema events, book clubs and knitting, all of course accompanied by a good cup of Yorkshire Tea. The Centre is also a great place for Leyburn's little ones, hosting 'Storytime' sessions weekly for under 5's and 'Music with Mummy' (at Thornbrough Hall).
Cinema
Every Friday night in the Leyburn Arts and Community Centre is movie night! Each week the centre showcases an up-and-coming picture for all those interested in joining. Adult tickets are £6, Pension tickets are £5 and kids go free. The onsite bar opens up at 5.30PM, ready just in time for you to get settled with some snacks and cozy under a blanket for the 6PM showing. Popular shows and concerts are hosted here via satellite three times a year for those interested, or if you prefer live music, local bands and artists often perform right here on the Cinema's stage.
Leyburn & District Community Shed
'The Shed' is open to adult Centre members only, and hosts lots of opportunities to be creative and enjoy good company. There is a well-equipped workshop with professional grade machines and supplies for crafting a wide variety of wooden projects, which can get quite noisy with everybody busy working on their creations! Ear defenders are available to protect your ears, but if you prefer a quieter area, the craft room next door offers a relaxed atmosphere to sit down comfortably and enjoy a more low-energy craft. 'The Shed' is also situated in the lovely 'Quiet Garden', which blooms in springtime and is always filled with peaceful birdsong. Have a seat on one of the benches and simply enjoy the sounds of nature and breathe in the fresh air.
There is a well-lit, smooth and inclined wheelchair accessible path into 'The Shed' from the Centre's rear car park via wide entry gates. The main doors into the building measure over 1M wide and the door into the 'Quiet Room' measures 775mm wide. The 'Quiet Garden' can be accessed via a few steps from 'The Shed' entry side, or via the double doors and a smooth path from the Cinema's adjoining room in the main Centre.
'The Little Shop'
Inside the Arts and Community Centre you will find quiet little room with some tables and chairs and an array of books spanning fiction, biographies, non-fiction and everything in between. These books are available for sale if one catches your interest and you want to take it home; it's yours for £1 and £2 for a hardback book. There are also some DVDs and many jigsaws to choose from, as well as other local products to browse and purchase, such as cards, homemade jams and other activities to enrich your time in Leyburn. Plants grown on site by volunteers and visitors are also for sale to bring the blooms into your own home.
The adjoining door to this room leads to an accessible toilet cubicle, and two unisex toilet cubicles.
Community Support For All
Leyburn Arts and Community Centre is one of the many 'Community Anchors' in the district. They believe in "Staying Healthy, Independent and Connected" and are here to help you in any way they can with whatever you may be going through. Personal health issues, housing, social care, finances, and any sort of advice or guidance is available via a weekly, informal drop-in session hosted at the Centre on the second Friday of every between 10AM and 12PM. Sessions are also available every Friday in between via Zoom, where the Centre's volunteers will set up the meeting for you in a private space where you feel comfortable to talk to an expert about your concerns. If you are struggling to get your issues resolved with the help of Leyburn, they will direct you to the best 'Community Anchor', service or organisation who can. This Community Support is open to both residents and visitors of the town. The Centre and its volunteers are also on hand to assist in emergency situations and liaise with nearby help.
Toilet Facilities
Toilets are available next to 'The Little Shop' reading room, where you will find a well-equipped accessible cubicle, and two gender-neutral stalls. There is also an accessible toilet in the adjoining room to the Cinema, which also has a baby changing station. There is small toilet facility located upstairs, which is not wheelchair accessible, and only accessed by stairs.
Upper Level
Upstairs at the Centre offers a multi-functional meeting room, changing room for dancers or whatever your event needs may be. There is a dance studio next door with mirrors around and plenty of space for a large class. These spaces are often used by clubs on a regular basis but can be hired out on request. There is an adjoining kitchen here where clubs can provide their own meals, as per guest dietary requirements.
Where is the nearest Defibrillator?
The nearest Defibrillator is located onsite on the outside wall at the front of the building.
Where is the nearest Changing Places Toilet?
Leyburn has its very own, recently installed Changing Places Toilet! You can find this in the rear car park behind the Golden Lion Pub, conveniently next to accessible parking bays. This facility is approximately a 5-minute walk from the Community Centre.
Accommodation in Leyburn
If you're a visitor of Leyburn town, 'The Cottage in The Dales' is a renowned, beautiful accessible holiday cottage nearby, a short commute into town, around 20 minutes by car. For something more central, The Golden Lion offers comfortable rooms (none accessible) with the convenience of being on the doorstep of everything the town centre has to offer, all within a few minutes' walk.
Is the Community Centre dog friendly?
Yes. The Centre loves dogs and welcomes them. They regularly host a 'community dog walk' event for residents, visitors and their pet companions.
Is the Community Centre Dementia friendly?
The Arts and Community Centre is part of the old Church building and features some beautiful stained-glass windows in the Cinema room to bring the traditionality into the space. Overall, the Centre has this feel throughout; traditional, comforting and welcoming. Books and jigsaws, and hopscotch in the yard can bring back happy memories of childhood or days past, surrounded by community and uplifting conversation.
Parking
There is accessible parking available at the front entrance of the Community Centre, and further standard bays are around the back of the building, which provides easy access to users of 'The Shed'. Parking further away if these areas are full can be found a short walk into the market square, at multiple points (nearest free parking behind 'The King's Head' pub).
Disclaimer: All information provided in this Access MiniGuide belongs to the business owner who manages this listing. AccessibleUK accepts no responsibility for any incorrect information supplied.
